I have reproduced it word for word and using the original diction and punctuation which, as is often said, was very different to what we would call modern English.
It is really just one long sentence.
A French Privateer, having on board two Masters of Ships they had taken till their ransoms were paid, spied in the Humber some other ships and endeavouring to sail up to them stuck fast upon a sand, which 10 or 12 men working on Humber Bank on Lincolnshire side observing as soon as it was ebb they with their spades in their hands went on board in mere curiosity to know who had met with that mishap and were told they were Danes but the two Masters, aforesaid,called out to them that they were prisoners which the French-men hearing and fearing they might release them they run to a chest of small-arms and one of them had got the lid up but the men with the spades upon this concluding them to be French hewed them down with their spades as fast as they attempted to come near the chest till they had secured the arms for themselves and conquered their enemy who being 50 in number are now in Hull Gaol.
Source; Newcastle Courant
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